Plot To Murder Joss Stone Foiled

Two men allegedly plotting to kidnap and kill soul singer Joss Stone at her home in England were apprehended by the police on Monday, after neighbors reported suspicious activity.

The unidentified suspects, aged 33 and 30, are believed to have driven 200 miles from Manchester to Stone’s neighborhood in Cullompton, Devon in southwest England. Authorities found the men in possession of swords, rope, a body bag, maps and aerial photos of Stone’s home, according to Sky News. “We're unable to say anymore at this time, but I would like to thank the local residents for reporting the suspicious car,” Detective Inspector Steve Parker, the lead investigator, said in a statement. “It's important to stress that no properties have been burgled and no individuals have been harmed.”

Up to 20 detectives from the major crime unit are involved in the inquiry, but the police have yet to decipher whether the men were after Stone’s money and fame, or were resentful of her success. On Wednesday morning, police officers stood guard in front of the ornate gates outside the house, which is in a quiet countryside road.

It is unclear if Stone, 24, was home at the time, but her spokesperson said she had been informed of the arrests. Stone issued a statement thanking her fans “for their concern” and said she was “getting on with life as normal” and was “absolutely fine.”

Stone is one of the top five biggest earning female UK singing stars. She is also the fifth wealthiest British and Irish pop star aged under 30, selling more than 10 million albums worldwide. She has worked with legends such as James Brown, The Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder, and is also a close friend of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Stone was also recently asked to join a new “supergroup” called “Superheavy,” formed by Mick Jagger and including Dave Stewart from the Eurythmics, Damian Marley, the Grammy-winning youngest son of Bob Marley, and the Bollywood composer AR Rahman.